Safety control lockout knob

ABSTRACT

A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/137,704filed on Sep. 21, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/044,072, filed on Feb. 15, 2016. Both applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following description relates generally to a safety control lockoutknob and, more specifically, to a cooking appliance with a safetycontrol lockout knob for preventing accidental operation of theappliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cooktops or other appliances can include a plurality of control knobsfor allowing a user to actuate a function of the cooktop or appliance,e.g., to set the temperature in an oven, to control a gas burner,electric heating element, or infrared heating element, etc. The controlknobs usually are placed at a location whereby a user can easily accessthe control knobs during operation of the appliance. However, thisconvenient placement of the control knobs can allow children easy accessto the control knobs. Moreover, if left unattended, individuals withdementia or Alzheimer's may access the control knobs and create anunsafe condition.

It is desirable to have a control knob with a lockout feature that isdesigned to prevent accidental actuation of various functions of thecooktop or other appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of ahousehold appliance is disclosed. The control knob comprising a bodyconfigured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from theappliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least onerotational position. The locking element is movable between a firstposition and a second position. The locking element is configured toengage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least onerotational position when the locking element is in the first position,and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated whenthe locking element is in the second position.

A further control knob is disclosed. The control knob comprising arotatable knob body having a longitudinal axis. A locking elementcomprises a pin portion extending therefrom. The pin portion extendsthrough the knob body. A spring biases the locking element into a firstposition wherein a distal end of the pin portion extends to a forwardposition relative to a front end of the knob body. The pin portion isslidable against a biasing force of the spring into a second positionwherein the distal end thereof is withdrawn from the forward position.

Yet another control knob is disclosed. The cooktop comprising arotatable knob body having a longitudinal axis, and a locking elementcomprising at least one leg extending in a generally longitudinaldirection. The at least one leg is in a first, relaxed position whereina distal end of the at least one leg is spaced from the longitudinalaxis. The at least one leg is resiliently deflectable into a secondposition wherein the distal end is deflected toward said longitudinalaxis.

Still another control knob is disclosed. The control knob comprising arotatable knob body having a longitudinal axis. A locking elementcomprises a lever portion extending therefrom. The lever portion extendsin a generally longitudinal direction and is pivotable about an axisextending in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the knob body. A spring biases the locking element into a firstposition wherein a distal end of the lever portion extends to a forwardposition relative to a front end of the knob body. The lever portion ispivotable against a biasing force of the spring into a second positionwherein the distal end of the lever portion is withdrawn from theforward position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments are disclosed and described in detail herein withreference to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a control knob in an OFF positionand a locking element of the control knob in a first position, accordingto a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1,showing the locking element in a second position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 takenalong line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 takenalong line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a control knob in an OFF positionand a locking element of the control knob in a first position, accordingto a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6,showing the locking element in a second position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6taken along line 8-8;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7taken along line 9-9;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a control knob in an OFF positionand a locking element of the control knob in a first position, accordingto a third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11,showing the locking element in a second position;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11taken along line 13-13;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12taken along line 14-14; and

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a control knob 50 of a household appliance (not shown),e.g., a cooktop. The household appliance may include a plurality ofcontrol knobs 50. For the purposes of the present application, only onecontrol knob 50 will be described in detail.

The control knob 50 is mounted to a panel 12 of the appliance. Thecontrol knob 50 is provided for allowing a user to control a componentor a function of the household appliance, e.g., adjust the temperaturein an oven, control a gas burner, electric element, infrared heater,etc.

As best seen in FIG. 5, a rotatable rod 14 extends through an opening 16formed in the panel 12. The rod 14 is connected to a component of theappliance wherein rotation of the rod 14 controls the operation of thecomponent. For example, the rod 14 can be a valve stem (as for a gasburner) or the stem of a potentiometer (as for controlling an electricburner or heating element). In a further alternative it can be linked toa cam element to actuate a conventional bimetal switch (not shown). Inthe illustrated embodiment a distal portion 14 a of the rod 14 isnotched to define a flat surface 14 b. In the embodiment shown, thedistal portion 14 a has a generally “D-shaped” cross section but othercross sectional shapes are contemplated as also being acceptable. Asunderstood by those skilled in the art, the rod 14 is made of aconventional material, including but not limited to, steel and aluminum.

In the embodiment shown, the opening 16 is generally circular in shape.A portion of the panel 12 is contoured to define a notch 16 a. The notch16 a is positioned and dimensioned as described in detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the control knob 50 is shown. The controlknob 50 has a front end oriented toward a user and a rear end orientedtoward the appliance. In general, the control knob 50 includes a body 52and a locking element 72. The body 52 is generally cylindrical in shapewith a longitudinal axis “A” and includes a contoured grip 52 a, a frontface 52 b and a rear face 52 c. Grip 52 a is contoured in a customarymanner (having opposing side flats 53) to allow for easy gripping by auser. The body 52 is made of a conventional material, including but notlimited to, plastic and aluminum.

A boss 56 extends from the rear face 52 c of the body 52. An opening 54,best seen in FIG. 5, extends through the boss 56 and into the body 52.Both the opening 54 and the boss 56 are axially aligned with thelongitudinal axis “A.” The opening 54 extends a predetermined distanceinto the body 52. In the embodiment shown, the opening 54 is “D-shaped”to correspond to the cross sectional shape of the distal portion 14 a ofthe rod 14, which is received within the opening 54 and retained thereinvia an interference fit.

A counter-bored, through hole 62 extends from the rear face 52 c to thefront face 52 b of the body 52. The hole 62 includes a counter-boredportion 62 a that communicates with the rear face 52 c. The hole 62 isoffset from the longitudinal axis “A” and extends in a directiongenerally parallel to the longitudinal axis “A.”

An L-shaped recess 64 is formed in the body 52 when viewed in sidecross-section as in FIGS. 3-4. A first portion 64 a of the recess 64 isformed in the front face 52 b and a second portion 64 b of the recess 64is formed in an outer cylindrical surface of grip 52 a; preferably in anupper portion of that surface disposed between the opposing side flats53 where a user would typically grasp the knob 50. The first portion 64a of the recess 64 is positioned such that the hole 62 exits the body 52at the first portion 64 a. The recess 64 is dimensioned to receive aportion of the locking element 72.

Referring now to FIG. 5, locking element 72 is best seen. Lockingelement 72 includes a gripper portion 74 and a pin portion 76. Gripperportion 74 is a generally L-shaped element that includes a base 74 a anda leg 74 b. The base 74 a is attached to one distal end of the pinportion 76. The leg 74 b extends from an end of the base 74 a in adirection generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the pin portion76. The base 74 a and the leg 74 b are dimensioned to be received andnormally seated into the first portion 64 a and the second portion 64 bof recess 64, respectively, when the locking element 72 is engaged toprevent rotation of the knob 50 (explained below).

The pin portion 76 of the locking element 72 is rod-shaped elementhaving a distal end 76 b. The pin portion 76 is dimensioned to slidewithin the counter-bored, through hole 62. An annular groove 76 a (FIG.4) is formed near the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76. The annulargroove 76 a is dimensioned to receive and retain a locking washer 82,therein.

A biasing element 84 is provided for biasing the locking element 72 in apredetermined, locked position. In the embodiment shown, the biasingelement 84 is a conventional compression spring having a predeterminedspring constant.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the control knob 50 is assembled by insertingthe pin portion 76 of the locking element 72 into the countered-boredthrough hole 62. In particular, the pin portion 76 is inserted throughthe hole 62 from the front face 52 b of the body 52. When fully insertedinto the hole 62, the gripper portion 74 of the locking element 72 isseated within the recess 64 of the body 52, with its distal end 76 bextending past the rear face 52 c of the body 52.

The biasing element 84 is placed into the counter-bored portion 62 a ofthe hole 62 from the rear face 52 c of the body 52. Thereafter, thelocking washer 82 is positioned in the annular groove 76 a of thelocking element 72 to retain the biasing element 84 between the lockingwasher 82 and a bottom of the counter-bored portion 62 a. In particular,the biasing element 84 applies a force to the locking washer 82 to biasthe gripper portion 74 of the locking element 72 into the L-shapedrecess 64 and to bias the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 apredetermined distance past the rear face 52 c of the body 52, as shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. It is also contemplated that the biasing element84 may bias the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 a predetermineddistance from the front end of the control knob 50 such that the distalend 76 b may or may not extend past the rear face 52 c of the body 52.

The locking element 72 is moveable between a first, forward position,shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and a second, retracted position, shown in FIGS.2 and 4. When the locking element 72 is in the first position, the base74 a and the leg 74 b of the gripper portion 74 are disposed in thefirst portion 64 a and the second portion 64 b of recess 64,respectively, and the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 of thelocking element 72 extends past the rear face 52 c of body 52. When thelocking element 72 is in the second position, the base 74 a of thegripper portion 74 is spaced from the first portion 64 a of the recess64 and the distance between the distal end 76 b and the rear face 52 cis reduced as compared to when the locking element 72 is in the firstposition. Alternatively, the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 canbe withdrawn within the counter-bored portion 62 a of the hole 62 in thesecond position.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the attachment of the control knob 50 to thedistal portion 14 a of the rod 14 on the panel 12 is shown. As notedabove, the front end of the control knob 50 is oriented toward a userand the rear end of control knob 50 is oriented toward the appliance. Inparticular, the opening 54 of the body 52 is dimensioned to receive thedistal portion 14 a of the rod 14. It is contemplated that otherattachment means, such as, but not limited to, screws, set screws,threads, interference fits, knurled surfaces, etc., may be used alone orin combination to secure the control knob 50 to the rod 14. It is alsocontemplated that the rear end of the control knob 50 may extend into orthrough the opening 16 in the panel 12.

The control knob 50 will now be described with reference to theoperation of the control knob 50. Referring to now FIGS. 1 and 3, thecontrol knob 50 is shown in a first rotational position, hereinafterreferred to as an OFF position. In this position, the distal end 76 b ofthe pin portion 76 aligns with and extends into a hole, recess or notch16 a in the panel 12. (In this application the term “notch” shall refercollectively to any such hole, recess, notch or other opening in a panelor surface on an appliance with which a locking element or portionthereof, as herein described, engages to inhibit rotation of a knob).The pin portion 76 thereby locks the control knob 50 in the OFF positionand prevents a user from rotating the control knob 50 to anotherposition. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the notch 16 a is generallycurved to correspond closely to the outer surface of the distal end 76 bof the pin portion 76. It is contemplated that providing a separate holeor recess (not shown) in the panel 12 for receiving the distal end 76 bwould also be acceptable.

To turn the control knob 50 to another position other than the OFFposition, a user first pulls on the locking element 72 thereby causingthe distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 to withdraw from the notch 16a. FIGS. 2 and 4 show the locking element 72 in the second position.Once the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 is withdrawn from thenotch 16 a, the user may rotate the control knob 50 to a desiredposition to control the operation of the related component.

The biasing element 84 continues to bias the locking element 72 towardpanel 12 such that the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 slidesalong the surface of the panel 12 along a circular arc as the knob body52 is rotated. Once the body 52 is rotated back to the OFF position, thelocking element 72 realigns with the notch 16 a and the biasing element84 forces the distal end 76 b of the pin portion 76 into the notch 16 a,i.e., back into the first position of the pin portion 76. As such, thecontrol knob 50 is re-secured or locked back into the OFF position.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, a second control knob 150 is shown. Thecontrol knob 150 has a front end oriented toward a user and a second endoriented toward the appliance. The control knob 150 includes a body 152and a locking element 162. The body 152 is generally cylindrical inshape and includes a contoured grip 152 a, a front face 152 b and a rearface 152 c similarly as the preceding embodiment. The grip 152 a iscontoured in a customary manner (having opposing side flats 153) toallow for easy gripping by a user. The body 152 is made of aconventional material, including but not limited to, plastic andaluminum. A longitudinal axis “B” extends through the body 152.

An opening 152 d, best seen in FIG. 10, extends into the rear face 152 cof the body 152 a predetermined distance. The opening 152 d is axiallyaligned with the longitudinal axis “B.” In the embodiment shown, theopening 152 d has a generally rectangular cross-section when viewedalong axis B, and extends longitudinally into the body 152 from its rearface 152 c until reaching surface 155. In the illustrated embodiment,lateral portions of the opening 152 d are open to the outside such thatcorresponding side openings (communicating with the opening 152 d) areprovided in the opposing side flats 153 of the grip portion 152 a of theknob body 152.

An elongated boss 151 extends longitudinally from the surface 155defined by opening 152 d. The elongated boss 151 is generally circularin cross section and extends past the rear face 152 c of the body 152.The boss 151 is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis “B.” Anopening 154 extends into the boss 151 from its distal end. The opening154 is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis “B.” In the embodimentshown, the opening 154 is “D-shaped” to correspond to the shape of thedistal portion 14 a of rod 14.

A recess 158 is formed in the opposing side flats 153 and the front face152 b of the body 152. The recess 158 is generally U-shaped when viewedin side cross-section as in FIGS. 8 and 9, and is dimensioned to seatthe locking element 172.

The locking element 172 is a generally U-shaped element having a firstleg 172 a, a second leg 172 b and a base 172 c. An angled, substantiallyL-shaped tab 174 extends outwardly (radially) from a distal end of thefirst leg 172 a. A stop 176 is formed at and extends from a distal endof the outer leg of tab 174. Raised locking tabs 178 a, 178 b are formedon an inner surface of the first leg 172 a and the second leg 172 b,respectively. The tabs 178 a, 178 b extend laterally along each of thefirst leg 172 a and the second leg 172 b, respectively, preferablyacross their full width from one lateral edge thereof to an oppositeedge. In the embodiment shown, the tabs 178 a, 178 b are triangular inshape.

The control knob 150 is assembly by placing the locking element 172 onthe body 152. In particular, the first leg 172 a is disposed in aportion of the recess 158 disposed on one side (e.g., at one of opposingflats 153) of the body 152. The second leg 172 b is disposed in aportion of the recess 158 disposed on an opposite side (e.g., at theother opposing flat 153) of the body 152. The base 172 c is disposed ina portion of the recess 158 at the front face 152 b of the body 152. Asshown in FIG. 8, the distal ends of the first leg 172 a and the secondleg 172 b extend over the lateral portions of the opening 152 d formedin the body 152 along the side openings in the opposing flats 153 of thegrip portion 152 as described above. Accordingly, the first and secondlegs 172 a and 172 b substantially bound the opening 152 d wheninstalled on the body 152.

The locking tabs 178 a, 178 b of the locking element 172 are disposed tomate with the surface 155. In this respect, the tabs 178 a, 178 b definea “snap-fit” connection for securing the locking element 172 to the body152 as the locking element 172 is advanced longitudinally over the body152 toward the rear face 152 c.

The locking element 172 is moveable between a first, relaxed position,shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 and a second, deflected position, shown in FIGS.7 and 9. When the locking element 172 is in the first position, thefirst leg 172 a and the second leg 172 b are in a relaxed condition andare spaced apart from one another, preferably extending in generallyparallel planes. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, when the locking element isin the first position, the distal end of the first leg 172 a is a firstradial distance from the longitudinal axis “B.” When the locking element172 is in the second position, at least the first leg 172 a iselastically deflected inward, toward the second leg 172 b, at its distalend against the modulus of the material. The stop 176 thereoncorrespondingly is deflected radially inward toward the longitudinalaxis “B.” In other words, when the locking element 172 is in the secondposition, the distal end of the first leg 172 a is a second radialdistance from the longitudinal axis “B,” wherein the second radialdistance is smaller than the first radial distance.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the attachment of the control knob 150 tothe distal portion 14 a of the rod 14 on the panel 12 is shown. As notedabove, the front end of the control knob 150 is oriented toward a userand the rear end of the control knob 150 is oriented toward theappliance. In particular, the opening 154 of the body 152 is dimensionedto receive the distal portion 14 a of the rod 14. It is contemplatedthat other attachment means, such as, but not limited to, screws, setscrews, threads, interference fits, knurled surfaces, etc., may be usedalone or in combination to secure control knob 150 to rod 14. It is alsocontemplated that the rear end of the control knob 150 may extend intoor through the opening 16 in the panel 12.

The control knob 150 will now be described with reference to theoperation of the control knob 150. In FIGS. 6 and 8 the control knob 150is shown in a first rotational position, hereinafter referred to as anOFF position. When the control knob 150 is in the OFF position, thelocking element 172 is in the first position such that the stop 176extends radially into the notch 16 a in the panel 12. To turn thecontrol knob 150 to another position other than the OFF position, a userfirst moves the locking element 172 to the second position by at leastdepressing the first leg 172 a radially inward. As the first leg 172 adeflects toward longitudinal axis “B,” the stop 176 is withdrawnradially out of the notch 16 a, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, thus removingit as an impediment to rotation of the knob 150. Once the stop 176 iswithdrawn, the user may rotate the control knob 150 to a desiredposition to control the operation of the related component.

The locking element 172 is made from an elastic material, such as, butnot limited to, plastic or metal, such that the deflection of the firstleg 172 a radially toward the longitudinal axis “B” is resisted based onthe modulus of the material by a force that tends to return the firstleg 172 a to its resting condition (i.e. to its first position). Thisforce biases the stop 176 on the first leg 172 a in a radially outwarddirection toward the cylindrical surface that defines the opening 16 inthe panel 12. In particular, the stop 176 on the first leg 172 a ispositioned and dimensioned to slide along the cylindrical surface thatdefines the opening 16. Once the body 152 is rotated back to the OFFposition, the stop 176 realigns with the notch 16 a and is forced intothe notch 16 a, i.e., back into the first position. As such, the controlknob 150 is re-secured or locked back into the OFF position.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-15, a third control knob 250 is shown. Thecontrol knob 250 includes a front end oriented toward a user and asecond end oriented toward the appliance. In general, the control knob250 includes a body 252 and a locking element 272. The body 252 isgenerally cylindrical in shape and includes a contoured grip 252 a, afront face 252 b and a rear face 252 c. Grip 252 a is contoured in acustomary manner (having opposing side flats 253) to allow for easygripping by a user. The body 252 is made of a conventional material,including but not limited to, plastic and aluminum. A longitudinal axis“C” extends through the body 252. The control knob 250 includes a frontend facing a user and a rear end facing the appliance.

An opening 254, best seen in FIG. 15, extends into the rear face 252 cof the body 252. The opening 254 is axially aligned with thelongitudinal axis “C.” In the embodiment shown, the opening 254 is“D-shaped” to correspond to the shape of the distal portion 14 a of therod 14. A boss 256 extends from the rear face 252 c and the opening 254extends through the boss 256.

A slot 262 is provided in an outer cylindrical surface of the body 252from the rear face 252 c to a location approaching the front face 252 b.The slot 262 extends in a direction generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis “C.” In the embodiment shown, the slot 262 includes anarrow first portion 262 a and a wider second portion 262 b. A bottom ofthe slot 262 includes a recess 262 c (best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14) thatis dimensioned as described in detail below. The slot 262 is dimensionedto receive the locking element 272

Referring now to FIG. 15, the locking element 272 is best seen. Thelocking element 172 includes a pressing portion 274 and a lever portion276. The pressing portion 274 is disposed at an end of the lockingelement 272 and includes a generally rectangular-shaped portion. Thelever portion 276 extends from the pressing portion 274. The pressingportion 274 and the lever portion 276 are formed such that an anglebetween an upper surface of the pressing portion 274 and an uppersurface of the lever portion 276 is less than 180°. A curved tab 278extends from a lower surface of the locking element 272 at the locationwhere the pressing portion 274 and the lever portion 276 meet. A hole278 a extends through the tab 278 from one side of the locking element272 to an opposite side of the locking element 272.

A hole 282 also extends laterally through the grip 252 a of the body252. The hole 282 is aligned with the recess 262 c of the slot 262 andis dimensioned to receive a pin 283 therein for securement of thelocking element 272.

A biasing element 284 is positioned within the slot 262. The biasingelement 284 can be a conventional torsional spring having apredetermined spring constant, and having a first leg 284 a, a secondleg 284 b and a coil portion 284 c. It is also contemplated that biasingelement 284 may be a compression spring (not shown) that is placedbetween pressing portion 274 and a bottom of the slot 262.

The control knob 250 is assembled by placing the locking element 272 andthe biasing element 284 into the slot 262. The pressing portion 274 isreceived in the second portion 262 b of the slot 262 and the leverportion 276 is received in the first portion 262 a of the slot 262. Thebiasing element 284 is placed to one side of the locking element 272such that the first leg 284 a of the biasing element 284 engages abottom of the pressing portion 274 and the second leg 284 b of thebiasing element 284 engages a bottom of the slot 262. The biasingelement 284 and the locking element 272 are positioned such that thecoil portion 284 c of the biasing element 284 and the hole 278 a in thelocking element 272 align with the hole 282 in the body 252. The pin 283is then inserted into the hole 278 a and through the coil portion 284 cand the hole 278 a in the locking element 272.

The locking element 272 is moveable between a first, forward position,shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 and a second, retracted position, shown inFIGS. 12 and 14. When the locking element 272 is in the first position,the biasing element 284 applies an upwardly directed force to the bottomof the pressing portion 274 to bias the lever portion 276 against thebottom surface of the slot 262 based on the angle between the pressingportion 274 and the lever portion 276. In this first position, thepressing portion 274 is positioned slightly proud of the outer surfaceof the body 252 and the distal end of the lever portion 276 is spaced apredetermined distance from the front end of the control knob 250. Whenthe locking element 272 is in the second position, the pressing portion274 is depressed so that it is at least partially recessed within thesecond portion 262 b of the slot 262, while the lever portion 276becomes displaced from the first portion 262 a of the slot 262 to bepositioned slightly proud of the outer surface of the body 252 viapivoting of the locking element 272 about the pin 283. In this secondposition, the distal end of the lever portion 276 is withdrawn from thefirst, forward position toward the front end of the control knob 250.

Referring again to FIG. 15, the attachment of the control knob 250 tothe distal portion 14 a of the rod 14 on the panel 12 is shown. As notedabove, the front end of the control knob 250 is oriented toward a userand the rear end of the control knob 250 is oriented toward theappliance. In particular, the opening 254 of the body 252 is dimensionedto receive the distal portion 14 a of the rod 14 such that when a userrotates the body 252, the rod 14 will also rotate. It is contemplatedthat other attachment means, such as, but not limited to, screws, setscrews, threads, interference fits, knurled surfaces, etc., may be usedalone or in combination to secure the control knob 250 to the rod 14. Itis also contemplated that the rear end of the control knob 250 mayextend into or through the opening 16 in the panel 12.

The control knob 250 will now be described with reference to theoperation of the control knob 250. FIGS. 11 and 13 show the control knob250 in a first rotational position, hereinafter referred to as an OFFposition. When the control knob 250 is in the OFF position, the lockingelement 272 is in the first, forward position such that the distal endof the lever portion 276 extends into the notch 16 a in the panel 12. Toturn the control knob 250 to another position besides the OFF position,a user first moves the locking element 272 to the second, retractedposition by depressing the pressing portion 274. As the locking element272 pivots, the lever portion 276 is withdrawn from the notch 16 a inthe panel 12, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, thus being removed as animpediment to rotation of the knob 250 from the OFF position. Once thelever portion 276 is withdrawn from the notch 16 a, the user may rotatethe control knob 250 to a desired position to control the operation ofthe related component.

The biasing element 284 continues to bias the lever portion 276 of thelocking element 272 toward the panel 12 such that its distal end slidesalong a circular arc on the surface of the panel 12 as the knob 250turns. Once the body 252 is rotated back to the OFF position, thelocking element 272 realigns with the notch 16 a and the biasing element284 forces the distal end of the lever portion 276 back into the notch16 a, i.e., forces the locking element 272 back into the first position.As such, the control knob 250 is re-secured or locked into the OFFposition.

The control knobs 50, 150, 250 described herein each provides a controlknob with a safe lockout feature wherein a user must manipulate alocking element to move the control knob from the OFF position. Inparticular, the user must possess a minimum level of dexterity toactuate the locking element of the control knob while simultaneouslyturning (and optionally pushing) the control knob from the OFF position.

Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the above apparatuses andmethods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited toparticular details of this disclosure except to the extent that thefollowing claims are necessarily so limited.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control knob comprising: a rotatable knob bodyhaving a longitudinal axis, a locking element comprising a lever portionextending therefrom, said lever portion extending in a generallylongitudinal direction and being pivotable about an axis extending in adirection generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said knobbody, and a spring biasing said locking element into a first positionwherein a distal end of said lever portion extends to a forward positionrelative to said knob body, said lever portion being pivotable against abiasing force of said spring into a second position wherein said distalend of said lever portion is withdrawn from said forward position. 2.The control knob of claim 1, said lever portion being generally coplanarwith an outer surface of said knob body when said locking element is insaid first position.
 3. The control knob of claim 1, said distal end ofsaid lever portion dimensioned to engage a notch in an appliance to locksaid control knob in a predetermined rotational position when saidlocking element is in said first position.
 4. The control knob of claim1, said spring being a torsional spring.
 5. The control knob of claim 1,said forward position being spaced from a rear end of said knob body. 6.The control knob of claim 1, said locking element further comprising apressing portion, said pressing portion being disposed and accessibleadjacent an outer surface of said knob, such that movement of saidpressing portion correspondingly pivots said lever portion into saidsecond position against said biasing force.
 7. The control knob of claim6, said pressing portion projecting from said outer surface of said knobbody when said locking element is in said first position.
 8. The controlknob of claim 6, said spring being a compression spring disposed betweensaid pressing portion and said outer surface of said knob body.
 9. Thecontrol knob of claim 6, said pressing portion and said lever portionpivotable about a common pivot axis.
 10. The control knob of claim 6, apin extending into said knob body defining said common pivot axis.
 11. Acontrol knob for controlling the operation of a component of a householdappliance, said control knob comprising: a body configured to beattached to a rotatable rod extending from said appliance, a lockingelement for reversibly securing said body in at least one rotationalposition, said locking element movable between a first position and asecond position, and a biasing element for biasing said locking elementto said first position; said locking element being configured to engagewith a notch in said appliance to rotatably secure said body in said atleast one rotational position when said locking element is in said firstposition, and to disengage from said notch to permit said body to berotated when said locking element is in said second position, saidlocking element comprising a flexible leg radially compressible relativeto said body from said first position to said second positions in orderto reversibly disengage said locking element from said notch to therebypermit said rotation of said body, wherein the flexible leg comprises anangled, substantially L-shaped tab that extends radially from a distalend thereof.
 12. The control knob of claim 11, said biasing elementbeing at least one of a compression spring and a torsional spring.
 13. Acontrol knob for controlling the operation of a component of a householdappliance, said control knob comprising: a body configured to beattached to a rotatable rod extending from said appliance, and a lockingelement for reversibly securing said body in at least one rotationalposition, said locking element movable between a first position and asecond position, said locking element being configured to engage with anotch in said appliance to rotatably secure said body in said at leastone rotational position when said locking element is in said firstposition, and to disengage from said notch to permit said body to berotated when said locking element is in said second position, saidlocking element comprising a flexible leg radially compressible relativeto said body from said first position to said second positions in orderto reversibly disengage said locking element from said notch to therebypermit said rotation of said body, said locking element comprising alever portion pivotable relative to said body, said lever portion havinga distal end dimensioned to engage said notch in said appliance whensaid body is in said at least one rotational position and said lockingelement is in said first position, wherein the flexible leg comprises anangled, substantially L-shaped tab that extends radially from a distalend thereof.
 14. The control knob of claim 13, said locking elementbeing pivotable about an axis generally perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of said body.
 15. The control knob of claim 13, said distal end ofsaid locking element being dimensioned to slide along a surface of saidappliance as said body rotates.
 16. The control knob of claim 15, saidsurface of said appliance being generally perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of said rotatable rod.